Netball Australia's national all-abilities event will take to Victoria in September, as seven teams vie for the 2023 Marie Little Shield title.
Making it’s return in October last year following a two year hiatus, the NSW Marie Little Shield team claimed overall victory in front of a home crowd and members of the Australian Diamonds Netball Squad at Sydney’s Netball Central.
The 2023 edition will be contested at Waverley Netball Centre across three days from Friday 15 September, presented with Visit Victoria as the Official Event Host Partner.
The event, open and free to the public, provides the chance for female athletes with an intellectual disability to compete at the national level each year.
The Marie Little Shield was named after Marie Little (OAM), a netballer who dedicated her life to those with an intellectual disability.
Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia will all return to participate this September, with New South Wales looking to retain their champion status off the back of 2022.
While the 2023 NSW team will be announced shortly, Netball NSW remains committed to growing opportunities for all to play, following the inclusion of all-abilities divisions in the 2023 Hart Senior State Titles competition.
Netball Australia Executive General Manager of Suncorp Super Netball, Events and
Commercial Adam Richardson expressed the importance of the all-abilities competition.
"The Marie Little Shield competition holds a significant place in our netball calendar, and we are excited to bring the spirited event to Melbourne this year.
"Our national all-abilities representatives continue to improve their skills with each Marie Little Shield edition which highlights the national pathway opportunities we have, as well as netball's touch point to so many individuals.
"We look forward to providing more information on the event in the coming months."
A full fixture for the 2023 Marie Little Shield will be released in the coming weeks with team lists to follow.
